Silvanesti Military Awards

Those of you who have been reading along, should be aware that the Dark Queen's armies have launched a major offense on the Silvanesti nation centered around the town of Tarithnesti. This offensive included several hundred Goblins, multiple companies of Draconians, a handful of giants, and several dragons.

I was working on Chapter 9 of the ongoing battle and a stray thought crossed my mind. "What would a Dragonslayer Medal look like? What kind of Citation would it include? How would it compare to other medals?

This led me down an eight-hour rabbit hole with my copy of "Heroes of Battle" on one side of me and Wikipedia and my phone on the other. There was some follow up the next day as I began piecing together which character would have earned what medals so far, points for advancing in rank, and coming up with future scenarios that would make player characters eligible for the honors that ended up being my favorite.

All was well and good. I looked upon what I had come up with and was pleased.

Until I remembered the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Another round with Google led to the discovery of Civilian awards that can be bestowed by pretty much every governmental Department of (insert name here). So, nine of those followed plus the Ruathar's Dagger to make it a nice even number.

Once again, I was done.

Then, I remembered watching the Fat Electrician and that time he talked about that time the Marines took a duck into battle. Thus, mount awards were added to the list.


SILVANESTI HONORS SYSTEM (Military and Civilian Awards)

I. NATIONAL ORDERS
• Order of the White Stag (Conspicuous Gallantry above all expectations)
• Order of the First Tree (Lifetime contribution to Silvanesti civilization)
• Order of the Evergreen Crown (Distinguished national service at the highest level)
II. VALOR DECORATIONS
• Gold Life-Saving Medal
• Silver Oak Leaf Medal (Extraordinary Heroism)
• Purple Oak Leaf Medal
III. OPERATIONAL MERIT
• Golden Tree Medal (Exceptional Battlefield Leadership)
• Star of Silvanos (Distinguished operational Service in Intelligence, Logistics, Engineering, or Diplomacy)
• Order of the Silver Throne (Senior Civil/Governmental Service or Advisory Council)
• Laureate of Tactical Necessity (Temporary operational alliance with enemy command structure under battlefield necessity)
IV. COMBAT DECORATIONS
• Dragonslayer Medal (color devices, stars added for multiple kills)
• Draconian Combat Medal (Baaz / Kapak / etc.)
V. CIVIL SERVICE MEDALS
• Order of the Starry Sky (Scholarship, astronomy, lore preservation, education)
• Emerald Branch (Diplomacy, alliance-building, peacekeeping)
• Crystal Laurel (Arcane research and magical innovation)
• White Doe Medal (Humanitarian service, refugee care, medical relief)
• Medal of the Silver Quill (Historical recordkeeping, literature, cartography)
• Golden Acorn Medal (Environmental stewardship and forest preservation)
VI. CAMPAIGN MEDALS
• Defense of Silvanost
• Defense of Tarithnesti
VII. UNIT CITATIONS
• Citation of the Eternal Bough (Unit-level exceptional performance in survival or victory operations)
VIII. QUALIFICATION DEVICES - marked by a lapel pin worn on collar (up to two may be displayed) or over left shoulder for the Aiguilettes
• Copper Spear (Wildrunners)
• Silver Bow (Scouts)
• Green Oak Leaf (Ranger)
• Crystal Acorn (Battle Mage)
• Golden Aiguilette (Griffon-Rider Flight Commander)
• Silver Aiguilette (Griffon-Rider)
IX. FOREIGN CIVIL RECOGNITION
• Ruathar's Dagger (Elf-Friend)



ROYAL AERIE MILITARY HONORS
(Griffon Service Decorations)
I. NATIONAL ORDER
• Order of the Golden Feather (Exceptional loyalty and battlefield judgment beyond normal mount behavior)
II. VALOR DECORATIONS
• Feather of Valor (Conspicuous gallantry under fire)
• Guardian’s Plume (Shielding rider or allied griffons from attack)
• Star of the Aerie (Exceptional aerial combat skill/Multiple successful combat engagements)
III. COMBAT DECORATIONS
• Talons of the Hunt (as Dragonslayer Medal above)
IV. CAMPAIGN MEDALS
• Defender of Silvanost Flight Medal
• Defender of Tarithnesti Flight Medal
• Plains of Dust Retreat Flight Medal
• War of the Lance Flight Victory Medal
V. UNIT CITATION
• Wing of the Eternal Awarded to entire griffon flights or squadrons
VI. QUALIFICATION DEVICES
• Silver Wing Qualification (Night operations / low-visibility flight)
• Golden Talon Qualification (Dragon engagement certification)
• Laurel Harness Qualification (Participation in five or more battles)
• Royal Aerie Crest (Command mount designation)


In context...

Order of the White Stag = Medal of Honor
Order of the First Tree = Presidential Medal of Freedom 
 Silver Oak Leaf = Army or Navy Cross
Golden Tree = Distinguished Service Medal
Purple Oak Leaf = Purple Heart
Star of Silvanos = Legion of Merit
Citation of the Eternal Bough  = Presidential Unit Citation

Additional awards of the same type, are denoted with the addition of Stars (for the Dragonslayer Medal), Oak Leaves (for the Silver Oak Leaf, Purple Oak Leaf, and Golden Tree), Emerald Crystals (Life-Saving Medal and Star of Silvanos with a lifetime maximum of five awards). The Order of the White Stag can only be earned twice in a lifetime with the second award being denoted by silver embroidery along the outer edges of its ribbon.

Bronze Star = additional qualifying dragon slain
Silver Star = five Bronze Stars
Gold Star = five Silver Stars

Bronze Oak Leaf = additional award
Silver Oak Leaf = five Bronze Leaves
Gold Oak Leaf  = fire Silver Leaves

Emerald Crystal = additional award 

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